Advertising sign



Dec. 21, 1965 F. J. WERNER I 3,224,125

ADVERTISING SIGN Filed Aug. 27, 1962 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I INVENTOR FRANK J. WERNER ATTORNE Dec. 21, 1965 F. J. WERNER 3,224,125

ADVERTISING SIGN Filed Aug. 27, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 SIGN PLATE N04- 59 59 3. Q25 4 4 SIGN PLATE NO.1 Q er- -53 SIGN PLATE No.2

2 INVNTOR FRANK W RNER BY Dec. 21, 1965 F. J. WERNER 3,

ADVERTISING S IGN Filed Aug. 27, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 g? 59 5 M 67d 37 63 37 i 1: 5 I m I 63 S33 .2 63 2". -79 was 35 67 [I] f a iii 9/ 5 2 55 73 67 i-Z -d E11 27 25 ""3 FIG.4. o

INVENTOR FIG 3. FRANK J. WERNER ATTORNE Dec. 21, 1965 F. J. WERNER 3,224,125

ADVERTISING SIGN Filed Aug. 27, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .n 4/4 29 1 in mm $0 fl 9/? fl FIG.8.

FIG 9.

United States Patent 3,224,125 ADVERTISING SIGN Frank J. Werner, Aflton, Mo. Aalco Sign C0., 4244 Chouteau, $t. Louis 10, Mo.) Filed Aug. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 219,401 9 Claims. (CI. 40-32) The invention relates to illuminated variable reading double-faced advertising signs.

An object of this invention is to provide a sign of unique construction having features of movement, action, lighting effects, advertising effects and advertising features not heretofore known in connection with an article of manufacture of this type.

Another object is to provide a double faced or single faced outdoor or indoor sign with formed plastic faces and interior lighted with fluorescent lamps which has sets of translucent moving changeable plastic advertising sign plates, each with a different copy, moving up one after the other and which are painted in various translucent colors and lighted from behind, whereby as the translucent moving changeable plastic advertising sign plates pass the center portion of the sign which is clear plastic and embossed with a diamond pattern as shown on the drawings to produce a unique movement of scintillating shimmering action, light and color in the letters or background when viewed from the outside of the plastic face.

It is a further object of this invention to provide alternate dimming and bright lighting of translucent white lettering on the lower and upper portion of the plastic face of the sign, when viewed from the outside of the plastic face.

It is a further object of this invention to provide eye catching attention by means of the clear and colored dots, dashes, running lines of light and color and various patterns of light and color moving back and forth in the slanted lines when viewed from the outside of the plastic face.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sign of the abovementioned type in which sets of translucent moving changeable plastic advertising sign plates may be changed from one advertising message to another with a minimum of effort simply by hanging the plates on a rod as more specifically set out in the detailed description.

The foregoing and additional objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, from the front, of a sign embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the sign with the front cover plate removed.

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the sign along line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the chain and one of the sign plates, showing the method of suspending the plates from the chain.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the central portion of the plastic face of the sign.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 but showing also a letter formed of alternate light and dark translucent stripes behind the plastic face.

FIG. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view along 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 8-11 show various configurations of the design on the sign plates whereby the scintillating effect of the sign may be varied as desired.

The sign comprises a rectangular sheet metal case 1 comprising side walls 3 and 5, top wall 7 and bottom wall 9, all of inwardly open channel cross section to line 3,224,125 Patented Dec. 21, 1965 provide front and rear peripheral flanges 11, portions of which may be removable for purposes to be described hereinafter. Case 1 includes an internal frame of anglesection members including top and bottom side members 13 and 15, top and bottom front and rear members 17 and 19, and upright corner members 21 and 23. Members 17, 19, 21 and 23 are spaced slightly inwardly from peripheral flanges 11 to receive the marginal portions 25 of faces 27 and thereby hold the latter in place, removal of the faces being effected by removal of the removable portions of flanges 11. The sign may be provided, if desired, with angle-iron brackets 28 for mounting it on a building or pipe standard.

Faces 27 are each of molded transparent plastic sheet material and the upper and lower thirds of each comprise, respectively, vertical flat upper and lower panels 29 and 31 connected to marginal portion 25 by peripheral sloping surfaces 33, and the middle third comprises a protruding generally flat central panel 35 connected to upper and lower panels 29 and 31 and to sloping surfaces 33 by a peripheral sloping surface 37.

Upper panels 29 and lower panel 31 are coated on their insides with opaque paint, except for translucent lettering or design as at 39 in both panels, and upwardly converging slanted transparent stripes 41 in the lower panel immediately below the central panel.

Central panel 35 of each face 27 of the sign is of rippled configuration embodying the diamond-like pattern shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in which the diamondshaped surfaces 42 slope, i.e., are inclined to the general plane of the sheet outwardly and the intersecting rows of diagonal bands 43 which define between them the diamond-shaped surfaces slope inwardly, as best seen in vertical cross-section in FIG. 7, the general shape of the surfaces being similar to a shingle roof in which diamond-shaped portions of the shingles are exposed.

Near the top of the sign pairs of identical sprockets 48 and 49 are journaled near the side walls on parallel pairs of coaxial stub shafts 45 and 46 mounted on side walls 3 and 5 inwardly of faces 27 and horizontally spaced from each other, and approximately two-thirds of the way down the sign, a pair of parallel horizontal shafts 55 and 56 extend between the side walls of the case and are in spaced relation with each other and with the front and rear faces 27 of the sign, and pairs of identical sprockets 51 and 53 are journaled on these shafts near the side walls.

Bicycle-type endless chains 57 and 59 are wound on the pairs of relatively vertically disposed sprockets 48 and 51 and 49 and 53 and four equidistantly spaced links 61 on each of the chains mount outwardly extending bracket plates 63, on each of which is mounted a rod 65 extending across the sign, parallel to the sprocket axes. From rods 65 are removably suspended rectangular transparent plastic plates 67a, 67b, 67c and 67d, each of which bears, in translucent paint, an advertising message, a portion of which, on plates 67a, b and 0, consists of slanting alternate dark and light, preferably white, translucent stripes 69 and 71. Each plate 67 is substantially the same area as central panels 35 of the faces 27 and is spaced inwardly of the central panel preferably about four inches when in registry with it so that, when illuminated from the rear, the message on the plates will show through the clear embossed surfaces of panels 35 and the combination of the slanting lines on the moving plates with the refraction in the embossed surfaces produces an attractive and distinctive scintillation.

To facilitate change of plates, the upper margin of each of the plates is secured to a downwardly open channel-like member 73, which forms an elongated hook overlying rod 65, the plate depending vertically therefrom by gravity. This arrangement permits change of plates merely by lifting one plate off its supporting rod 65 and hanging another plate on in its place.

Illumination of the sign is preferably provided by horizontal fluorescent tubes extending transversely of the sign and mounted on the casing side walls, both of the upper and lower panels being illuminated, respectively by single central rows of vertically spaced tubes 75 and 77, positioned substantially equidistant from front and rear faces 27. The central panels are individually illuminated by rows of vertically spaced tubes 79 aligned, respectively, with the axes of the vertically disposed pairs of sprockets 49 and 53, and 48 and 51, in order to provide direct backlighting of the plates 67a on the outer portion of the chains in registry with the central panels, Without interference from other plates 67c suspended from the inner portion of the chains.

To cause corresponding movement of both sets of sign plates relative to their respective cooperaing faces 27 of the sign, both plate-mounting chains are driven in opposite directions, so that their portions near the faces 27 move upwardly thus causing upward movement of the plates visible through the transparent surfaces of the faces 27. This movement is effected by an electric motor 81 mounted on the bottom of the casing and driving an endless chain 83 by means of sprocket 85. The inside of chain 83 engages driving sprocket 87 of chain 59, and the outer side of chain 83 is held in engagement with driving sprocket 89 of chain 57 by means of idler or reversing sprocket 91.

Each of the sign plates 67a, b, c and d is preferably lettered with a different advertising copy such as name of product, description of product, and the like. Plates 67a as shown in FIG. 8 have a solid translucent background and letters formed thereon with a white translucent margin and alternate colored and white translucent stripes 69 and 71 slanted upwardly from left to right so that as plates 67a move upwardly between fluorescent lamps 79 and central panels 35 the letters appear to scintillate and shimmer when viewed from outside panels 35. This effect is generally indicated by the combination of a striped letter 93 with the rippled pattern 42, 43 in FIG. 6.

Plates 67b as shown in FIG. 9 have a background of alternate colored and white translucent stripes 69 and 71 slanted upwardly from left to right with solid color translucent letter surrounded by a white margin. As plates 67b move upwardly between fluorescent lamps 79 and central panel 35 of the plastic face the background appears to scintillate and shimmer with movement from right to left.

Plates 670 as shown in FIG. 10 are similar to plates 67b except that stripes 69 and 71 slant upwardly from right to left, so that as plates 67c move upwardly between fluorescent lamps 79 and central panel 35 of the plastic face, the background scintillates and shimmers with movement from left to right.

Plates 67d as shown in FIG. 11 have white translucent letters and a solid translucent background so that as plates 67d move upwardly between fluorescent lamps 79 and the center panel 35 of the plastic face a jiggling movement appears along the edges of the letters.

As sign plates 67a, b, c and d consecutively move down in front of fluorescent lamps 77 and outwardly toward flat bottom panels 31, the plates create a shadow on the white translucent lettering or design 39 in the bottom panels thus dimming the lettering or design. As the plates move upwardly the shadow on white translucent lettering 39 also moves upwardly and after the bottom of the moving changeable plastic advertising sign plate has moved up past the top of lettering 39 the light from the bottom fluorescent lamp 77 shines directly on the back of panel 31 so that the lettering or design 39 is brightly lighted. As moving changeable plastic advertising sign plates 67a, b, c and d move upwardly between fluorescent lamps 77 transparent slanted stripe 41 on opaque lower panel 31, colored dots, dashes, running lines of light and color and various patterns of light and color moving back and forth appear in stripes 41, accentuating the upward convergence of the stripes.

As plates 67a, b, c and d consecutively move upwardly between fluorescent lamps 75 and top panel 29, plates 67a, b, c and d create a shadow dimming white translucent lettering 39 in top panel 29. As plates move downwardly light from fluorescent lamps 75 shines on the back of top panel 29 and lettering 39 is brightly lighted. It is desirable to allow six seconds for the four plates 67a, b, c and d to pass a given point whereby a different plate is displayed every one and one-half seconds.

It will be understood that the form and coloring of the designs painted on plates 67a, 11, c and a may be varied from those illustrated and specifically described herein and that attractive scintillating and shimmering effects can be achieved by numerous other combinations of contrasting light and dark colors, letters, pictorial designs and the like.

Other details of the structure may be varied substantially without departing from my invention and the exclusive use of those modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. An advertising sign comprising spaced parallel rippled sheets of transparent material, said sheets being of substantially uniform thickness andbeing formed with first narrow bands spaced part from each other and extending across the sheet in one direction, second narrow bands spaced apart from each other and extending across the sheet in another direction and intersecting said first bands, said bands being inclined to the general plane of the sheet in one direction and the remaining portions of the sheet bounded by said bands being inclined to the general plane of the sheet in the opposite direction from the direction of inclination of said bands, the inclination of said remaining portions being substantially less than that of said bands, separate sign plates movable parallel to said sheets in the space therebetween, said separate sign plates each having a surface design embodying relative light and dark translucent portions, lights behind said sign plates and adapted to shine through said plates and said sheets to project the design through said sheets with the appearance of scintillation as the plates move past said sheets, and means for moving said separate sign plates in the same direction between said lights and said sheets.

2. An advertising sign according to claim 1 in which said means for moving said sign plates comprises a separate pair of endless chains adjacent each of the parallel sheets, said sign plates being suspended from said chains.

3. An advertising sign according to claim 2 in which the means whereby said plates are suspended from said chains comprises an elongated member supported at its ends from the chains of one of said pairs, and said sign plates are provided with inverted channel-like elements along their upper edges, said channel-like elements being removably rested upon said elongated elements.

4. An advertising sign according to claim 2 in which there are a plurality of said sign plates suspended from each pair of chains in equidistant relation lengthwise of the chains with each other.

5. An advertising sign according to claim 2 in which the chains of each pair are mounted on spaced pairs of coaxial sprockets, there being a common power means driving the sprockets of both pairs in opposite directions whereby to move both sets of sign plates in the same direction relative to said sheets.

6. An advertising sign comprising a case having spaced parallel faces, each of said faces having opaque top and bottom panels and a transparent intermediate panel with a rippled surface, a separate pair of endless chains mounted on axes parallel to each of said faces inwardly thereof, one of said axes being adjacent the upper margin of said top panels and the other axes being adjacent the top margin of said bottom panels, four sign plates suspended in equidistant relation with each other from each pair of chains, said sign plates each having a surface design embodying relative light and dark translucent portions, lighting means in horizontal registry with said top and bottom panels and disposed between said separate pairs of chains and additional separate lighting means in registry with each of said intermediate panels and disposed between the upright portions of the chains of each pair, said top and bottom panels each having translucent portions and said bottom panel having slanting converging transparent stripes, and means for driving said pairs of chains in opposite directions whereby the upright leg of each of said chains nearest the associated face of the sign moves upwardly constantly.

7. An advertising sign comprising a face having opaque top and bottom panels and an intermediate panel, said intermediate panel comprising a rippled sheet of transparent material, said sheet being of substantially uniform thickness and being formed with first narrow bands spaced apart from each other and extending across the sheet in one direction, second narrow bands spaced apart from each other and extending across the sheet in another direction and intersecting said first bands, said bands being inclined to the general plane of the sheet in one direction and the remaining portions of the sheet bounded by said bands being inclined to the general plane of the sheet in the opposite direction from the direction of inclination of said bands, the inclination of said remaining portions being substantially less than that of said bands, a plurality of sign plates spaced rearwardly of said face and movable vertically past said panels, said sign plates each having a surface design embodying relative light and dark translucent portions, lighting means behind said sign plates, translucent designs and transparent slanting stripes in said opaque panels, means for moving said sign plates parallel to said face and thereby projecting the designs on said plates through said intermediate panel with scintillation and shimmering eifects, alternate brightening and dimming of the translucent design in said opaque panels, and the appearance of colored dots, dashes, running lines of light and color and various patterns of light and color moving back and forth in the transparent stripes.

8. An advertising sign according to claim 7 wherein at least a portion of the surface design of said sign plates comprises alternate white and colored slanting translucent stripes whereby when viewed through said transparent panel the effect of a scintillating shimmering movement toward one side of the panel is produced, depending upon the direction of slant of the stripes.

9. An advertising sign comprising a rippled sheet of transparent material, said sheet being of substantially uniform thickness and being formed with first narrow bands spaced apart from each other and extending across the sheet in one direction, second narrow bands spaced apart from each other and extending across the sheet in another direction and intersecting said first bands, said bands being inclined to the general plane of the sheet in one direction and the remaining portions of the sheet bounded by said bands being inclined to the general plane of the sheet in the opposite direction from the direction of inclination of said bands, the inclination of said remaining portions being substantially less than that of said bands, an element having a surface in uniformly spaced relation with the surface of said sheet, said element bearing a design having relatively light and dark translucent portions and being movable parallel to said sheet, and a source of light on the opposite side of said element from said sheet and adapted to shine through said element and said sheet to project the design through said sheet with the appearance of scintillation but without substantial distortion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 347,926 8/1886 Duboce 40-132 X 571,656 11/1896 Golding 40-133 844,344 2/ 1907 Fletcher 40-32 943,893 12/1909 Rider 40-97 X 957,119 5/1910 Spiegel 40-137 987,335 3/1911 Watkins 40-133 1,278,094 9/1918 Becker 40-137 1,686,994 10/1928 Thompson 40-97 2,074,249 3/1937 Bloh 40-132 X 2,293,106 8/1942 Bourdakoff 40-133 2,730,826 1/ 1956 Mayhurst 40-32 2,867,050 1/1959 Westfall 40-32 2,915,843 12/1959 Pabst et a1. 40-106.53 X

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ADVERTISING SIGN COMPRISING SPACED PARALLEL RIPPLED SHEETS OF TRANSPARENT MATERIAL, SAID SHEETS BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM THICKNESS AND BEING FORMED WITH FIRST NARROW BANDS SPACED PART FROM EACH OTHER AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE SHEET IN ONE DIRECTION, SECOND NARROW BANDS SPACED APART FROM EACH OTHER AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE SHEET IN ANOTHER DIRECTION AND INTERSECTING SAID FIRST BANDS, SAID BANDS BEING INCLINED TO THE GENERAL PLANE OF THE SHEET IN ONE DIRECTION AND THE REMAINING PORTIONS OF THE SHEET BOUNDED BY SAID BANDS BEING INCLINED TO THE GENERAL PLANE OF THE SHEET IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM THE DIRECTION OF INCLINATION OF SAID BANDS, THE INCLINATION OF SAID REMAINING PORTIONS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THAT OF SAID BANDS, SEPARATE SIGN PLATES MOVABLE PARALLEL TO SAID SHEETS IN THE SPACE THEREBETWEEN, SAID SEPARATE SIGN PLATES EACH HAVING A SURFACE DESIGN EMBODYING RELATIVE LIGHT AND DARK TRANSLUCENT PORTIONS, LIGHTS BEHIND SAID SIGN PLATES AND ADAPTED TO SHINE THROUGH SAID PLATES AND SAID SHEETS TO PROJECT THE DESIGN THROUGH SAID SHEETS WITH THE APPEARANCE OF SCINTILLATION AS THE PLATES MOVE PAST SAID SHEETS, AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID SEPARATE SIGN PLATES IN THE SAME DIRECTION BETWEEN SAID LIGHTS AND SAID SHEETS. 